Saka trains with England squad ahead of Ghana clash but remains unlikely to start

Bukayo Saka trained with the England squad on Sunday ahead of Tuesday’s World Cup Group L fixture against Ghana in Boston, offering a cautious boost to Thomas Tuchel’s side — though the manager does not expect the Arsenal winger to be fit to start the match.

Saka has been managing an Achilles injury that disrupted the final months of his domestic season, and was limited to an individual programme on Saturday. His return to group training represents a step forward, but Tuchel has indicated the 23-year-old is being targeted for the final Group L game against Panama rather than rushed back prematurely.

“I’m not in the physio department, but he hasn’t missed a day of training, so I think that’s a good thing,” Tuchel said. “Managing niggles going into a competition is very important for the latter stages. You need important players like him to be ready to play and step up when called upon.”

Tuchel was effusive about Saka’s importance to both club and country, adding: “He’s a crucial player for Arsenal. He’s a top quality player and he brings quality to the pitch, for Arsenal and England. I think he’s very important, as everyone can see.”

England can secure their place in the knockout stages with victory over Ghana on Tuesday. The African side arrive in Boston in good form, having beaten Panama 1-0 in their Group L opener to sit second in the standings ahead of England’s second fixture.